The Bush iDaptor is the smallest Freeview adapter on the market, being little bigger than a 20-pack of cigarettes. The adapter simply plugs into your TV’s Scart socket and allows access to all free to air Freeview TV and radio channels. It offers automatic channel installation and proved easy to use. The unit is powered by a small external mains power supply that is supplied.
We found the EPG, channel change and Digital Text functions to be a little slower to react than on many full size adapters.
Unfortunately, the iDaptor also failed our weak Freeview signal test – receiving no channels. Further tests revealed that it needed around 45dBuV of DVB-T aerial signal to work. Tuner sensitivity was the worst of all set-top boxes tested and is likely to mean picture break up or no picture at all in weak signal areas. If you live in a poor Freeview reception area you should consider buying the Humax F2FoxT or the Philips DTR210 rather than the iDaptor.
Guide Price: £54.00
Main Features
1 Ultra compact design
1 Infra red remote eye for remote system control
1 Support for 4:3 and 16:9 TV aspect ratios. All 4:3 screen modes are supported including letterbox, 14:9 compromise and centre cut out.
1 Good picture quality in RGB mode through the TV Scart interface
1 Favourite Channel List
1 Channel name editing
1 7 day EPG with current and next programme based on current time of day
1 Parental Control channel access restriction options
Another limitation of the Bush iDaptor is its limited connectivity. It has no UHF loop through or VCR Scart socket and therefore provides no easy way of recording Freeview channels. Since no UHF loop through is provided, an external aerial splitter is needed in order to provide both the iDaptor and its associated TV with an aerial connection, leading to significant signal losses. There are many reasons why the iDaptor’s TV would still need an aerial connection – for example if Sky TV was available via a UHF distribution amplifier feed.
In addition, many small televisions only have one Scart socket and the iDaptor uses it and provides no other Scart input for a DVD player or Sky Digibox. If other peripherals need to be connected, an external Scart switch box would be needed to expand connectivity. You should consider these limitations before buying the iDaptor. You could be better off buying a full size Freeview box, which provides UHF loop-through and a VCR Scart socket, if you have a video or DVD recorder, or a Sky UHF distribution system is used in your home.
Conclusions
The Bush iDaptor is an innovative product. It is particularly compact and offers reasonable all-round performance. However we would only recommend it for use in areas where the Freeview signal is good.
